Device for controlling the supply of fuel to oil burners, and the like



Jan 19, 1937 R. w. JOHNSON 2,068,138

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL T0 OIL BUHNERS AND THE LIKE Original FiledQ-March s, 1953 4 Sheets$heet 1 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1937. w' JOHNSON 2,068,138

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO OIL BURNERS AND THE LIKE Original Filed March 3, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

HAM, MS. m k

ATT\')RNEY.

R. w. JOHNSON DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO OIL BURNERS AND THE LIKE- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W? (J. M m,

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1937. w, JOHNSON 2,068,138

\DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO OIL BURNERS AND THE LIKE Original Filed March 3, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 al INVENTOR.

//0 //0 a ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 19, 1937 PATENT OFFICE] I I DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF FUEL T0 OIL BURNERS, AND THE Roy W. Johnson, Milwaukee, Wis.,

assignor to Automatic Products Company, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Original application March 3, 1933, Serial No.

659,448. Divided and this application October 7, 1936, Serial No. 104,379

14 Claims. (01. 137-68) This invention relates to liquid level control devices especially designed and adapted for use in connection with oil burners.

This application is a division of my application for Devices for controlling the supply of fuel to oil burners and the like, filed March 3, 1933, Serial No. 659,448. g

With oil burners ofthe type employing a gravity feed of the liquid fuel it is usual to employ a float controlled inlet valve to maintain a certain level of the oil in the fuel supply chamber associated with the oil' burner. With devices of this sort it is important to insure the closing of the inlet valve when the oil reaches the predetermined level in order to prevent flooding of the burner and to avoid the hazard and waste due to escape of thecoil.

novel features of the construction, arrangementliquid level control device of this character which avoids the necessity of handling the excess fuel supplied to the fuel supplychamber and which returns this fuel to the system automatically upon resetting of the liquid level control device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid level control device of this character which is susceptible of embodiment in various types of fuel supply systems, being capable of use in a closely organized structure employing a thermostatically controlled or a manually controlled outlet valve between the fuel supply chamber and the burner and being also capable of embodiment in a similarly advantageous structure wherein the regulation of the feed of the fuel to the burner is had by changing the level of the liquid in the 'fuel supply chamber to thereby effect the supply of fuel to the main or pilot wick of the oil burner.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain and combination of parts which will be hereinafter -more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this'specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is .a view partly in central vertical longitudinal section and. partly in side elevation showing the invention embodied in that type of structure which employs a thermostatically controlled outlet valve between the fuel supply chamber and the burner;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 with thecover plate and thermostat removed; I

Figure, 3 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken on line 3 -3 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical section, the view being taken on line tt of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view in central vertical longitudinal section with parts shown in elevation and illustrating the invention embodied in a structure wherein the feed of the fuel is regulated'by varying the level maintained in the fuel supply chamber;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 5 with the cover, plate and parts carried thereby removed and with parts shown in' section for the sake of illustration;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken on line l'l of Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a view in central vertical longitudinal section with parts shown in elevation and illustrating the invention embodied in that type of system employing manually adjustable outlet valves-regulating the feed of liquid fuel from the fuel supply chamber to the burner.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 8, the cover plate being removed and parts being shown in section for the sake of simplicity in illustration;

Figure 10 is a view in transverse vertical section taken on line Ill-iii of Figure 9 with parts shown in elevation for the sake of illustration; and

Figure 11 is a detail view in plan showing the dial plate, pointer and stop provided for each of the manually adjustable outlet valves shown in Figure 10.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, a casing designated generally at i is provided and has a fuel supply or main float chamber 2 and an auxiliary float chamber 3 therein, these chambers being separated by a dam or partition 4, the upper edge of which is located a short distance above the normal level maintained in the fuel supply chamber 2. A fuel supply conduit 5 is provided and may be cast integral with the casing I. At one end this conduit 5 has fuel supply nipples or con-- nections formed integral therewith. Thus; nipples 6 are provided at each side of the casing to make it convenient to install the devices under the varying conditions met with in practice but ordinarily only one is connected up to a fuel supply pipe I, the other being plugged as at .6. In the conduit 5 a strainer I0 is 'provided, the strainer being in the form of a reticulated or screen tubing having -one end suitably attached to a short sleeve l I carried by a plug l2 and having its other end suitably attached to an imperforate metal cup l3 supported at one end of-a rod l4, the other end of the rod being fitted in an opening provided in the plug l2 and being suitably attached thereto. The plug I2 is threaded into an opening provided at one end of the conduit 5 and its inner end is hollowed out as at l5 to freely communicate with the short sleeve l. The hollowed out portion is provided with an external annular groove l6 in open communication with the nipples 6 and this groove l6 communicates through openings l'8 with the interior of the hollowed out portion and consequently with the interior of the strainer l0.

At the end of the conduit 5 opposite the plug l2 an internally threaded opening 20 is provided in the wall of the casing between the supply chamber 2 and the conduit 5. The communication which this opening may afford between the conduit 5 and the chamber 2 is regulated by an inletvalve designated generally at 2|. The inlet valve 2i comprises a casing 22 having its lower end threaded into the opening 20 and provided with an axial opening 23 and transverse openings 24 which communicate with the chamber 2. At the intersection of the openings 23 and 24 a valve seat 25 is provided. The beveled lower end of a needle valve 26 coacts with this valve seatj25 to regulate the flow of the liquid fuel from the conduit 5 through the lower portion of the axial opening 23 and through the transverse openings 24 into the chamber 2. As shown, the needle valve 26 is slidably interfltted in the upper portionof the axial opening 23 which is adapted to receive the same. The operation of the needle valve26 is controlled by a main float 30 fastened to one end of a lever 3i fulcrumed on a pin 32 carried by the casing l and having a bifurcated end 33 interconnected with the needle valve 26. The arms of the bifurcated end arerounded as shown in Figure 1 and bear against shoulders 34 formed on an abutment collar 35 fitted on and suitably fixed to the upper end of the needle valve 26. A coil spring 31 encircles the upper portion of the needle valve 26 and has one end abutting the casing 22 and its other end abutting the collar 35. The spring 31 is under such compression as to be operative to move the needle valve 26 upwardly to open position upon fall of the level of the liquid below the selected or predetermined level.

In the normal operation of the device the needle valve 26 is opened and closed upon change of level in the chamber 2 under the action of the float 30. At times, due to the presence of grit on the valve seat 25 or for other reasons, the float 30 is ineflective to close the valve 26 even though the liquid level in the chamber 2 rises above the selected or predetermined leveL.

The present invention proposes-the provision of auxiliary means of novel character for insuring the closure of the needle valve when such conditions obtain. Broadly, this auxiliary means consists of a valve closing member biased to a position wherein it is effective to close the needle valve 26 but which is normally latched in inoperative positioQ the latch, however, being automatically released to permit the valve operator to member 40. A pivot pin 42 carried by the sidewalls of the casing i extends through these sleeves 4| and provides a pivotal support for the member 40. I'he member is biased to swing downwardly so that its imperforate body portion will strike and punch the valve 26 to closed position. This biasing action may be had by means of weights or a spring or both. In the present instance a coil spring 43 is wound about the pivot pin 42 between the bearing sleeves 4| and has one end abutting against an internal wall or partition 44 of the casing and has its other end bearing down on the body portion of the plate 40. As will be understood from Figure 2, the plate 40 is formed with a lengthwise slot 45 extending partway therealong and out through the free end-thereof. The wing formations 46 of the member 40 occurring on each side of the slot 45 may be weighted as at 41 to aid in the biasing action referred to.

For the purpose of normally maintaining the member 40 in elevated inoperative position, a latching lever 50 is provided and is fulcrumed as at 5! on a pin mounted on the side walls of the casing I. The lever 50 overlies the member 40 and to some extent is accommodated in its slot 45. Adjacent its fulcrum this lever 50 is provided with an integral latching hook 52 engageable with the underside of the-body portion of the member 40 at the inner end of the slot 45 when functioning to latch the member 40 in its elevated or inoperative position. A camming projection 53 is also formed integral with a portion of the lever 50'adjacent its fulcrum and is engageable with the body portion of the member 40 when the device is being reset, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The end of the lever 50 remote from its fulcrum 5| is pivotally connected as at 54 with a projection 55 secured to and extending I upwardly from an auxiliary float 56. v

One side edge of the body portion of the member 40 is notched as at 51. The marginal edges of this notch 51 engage in an annular groove 58 adjacent the lower end of a resetting stem 59 which is slidable in a bearing or opening 60 provided therefor in.the section 6| of the top of the casing. A stop pin 62 limits the downward movement of the stem. At its upper end the stem 59 may be provided with a knob 63 to facilitate gripping and actuation thereof.

Under normal operating conditions with the structure as thus far described, the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 1, with the main float '30 acting upon a fall of the level below the selected or predetermined level indic'atedby the dot and-dash line to permit the spring 31 to open the valve 26 and allow liquid fuel to flow into the chamber 2 until the predetermined level is restored, whereupon the rise of the main float 30 acts through the lever 3| to close the valve 26 against the action of its spring 31. Under such conditions there is no liquid in the auxiliary float chamber 3 and the weight of the float and the natural bias of the lever 50 retains the latching hook 52 of the lever 50 engaged with the body portion of the valve operator 40 to hold this valve operator in its elevated inoperative position not- 7 withstanding its bias. Now then, should the main float 3.0, due to the presence of grit on the valve seat 25 or for other reasons, be inefiective to close the valve 26 after the level of the fuel in the chamber 2 has risen above the selected level then liquid fuel will continue to run into the chamber 2 past the open valve 26 and the level will continue to rise until the liquid fuel flows over the dam or partition 4 and into the auxiliary float chamber 3. The flow of liquid into the chamber 3 will cause the auxiliary float 56 to rise thereby swinging the lever 50 in aclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 and disengaging the latching hook 52 from the member 46. This frees the member 46 and allows it to swing quickly downwardly under the influence of its spring 43 and its weights 41. Such downward swinging of the valve operator 46 causes its bodyportion to strike the upper end'of the needle valve 26 with a hammer-like blow thereby punching or forcibly thrusting the needle valve 26 to closed position. Upon such occurrence flow of any more liquid fuel into the supply chamber 2 is prevented and when the liquid fuel in this chamber has been exhausted the burner will be extinguished. The device may be reset by pulling upwardly on the knob 63 which causes the stem 59 to move upwardly and the stem in turn swings the member 46 up away from the needle valve 26 thereby restoring the needle valve to the control of the main float 30. This upward movement of the member 46 causes its body portion to engage the camming projection 53 of the lever 56 and as a result the lever 50 is swung in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. Such swinging of the lever 50 brings the latching hook 52. into engagement with the body portion of the member to releasably secure this member 46' in elevated inoperative position and since such movement of the lever is ac-- companied by a downward movement of the auxiliary float 56 the liquid which had flowed into the auxiliary float chamber 3 will be displaced back into the main fuel supply chamber 2.

The mechanism described will be adequate to take care of all of the conditions, usual or unusual, which occur from time to time in the operation of a device of this sort, but, if .desired, flooding of the burner due to failure of both the main float and auxiliary safety mechanism to close the valve 26 may be avoided by providing a vent opening V in one of the walls of the casing, the vent opening communicating at its inner upper end with the interior of the fuel supply chamber 2 at a point somewhat above the top edge of the dam or partition 4. and communicating at its outer lower end with the exterior. Of course, such an expedient results in spilling of the fuel in the region of the liquid level control device and would be unsatisfactory to take care of the usual conditions met. It may be, however, that such an expedient is to be preferred to a flooding of the burner under any circumstances.

- The fuel supply chamber 2' communicates through passages 65 and'66 and through an outlet valve designated generally at 61 with an outlet chamber 68. The chamber 68 is defined by burner.

.in. adjusted position by lock screws 82.

ing with transverse passages 13. The passage 12 opens'to the. passage 66 while the passages 13 open into the outlet chamber. At the juncture of the passages 12 and 13 a valve seat 14 isprovided and coacts with the beveled portion of a needle-valve 15. The needle valve 15 is slidably fitted in the upper portion of the axial opening 12 of the valve casing. A coil spring 16 encircles the upper portion of the valve casing and the portion of the valve 15 which projects above the same, the lower end of the spring 16 abutting a shoulder 16' provided therefor on the valve casing and the upper end engaging and pressing upwardly on a cross pin 15 secured to the valve 15. Thus, the spring 16 tends to open the outlet valve 15. In the present structure it is proposed to control the opening and closing of the valve 16 from a thermostat of conventional construction, a portion of which thermostat is designated at 11. A thermostat is carried by the section 6| of the casing top and is subjected to the temperature which is to affectthe operation of the The rod 16 extends down through an opening 6| provided in the section 6| and bears at its lower end against the intermediate portion of a lever 19. The lever 19 is provided at oneend with integral apertured ears-86 through which the pivot pin 42 extends whereby to provide a fulcrum for this lever. The free end of the lever operates between adjustable stop screws 8| threadedly engaged with the casing and held A removable cover plate 83 provides for access to the screws BI and 82.

With this construction, when the thermostat calls for heat the lower end of the rod 18 moves upwardly whereupon the valve 15 opens since the spring 16 presses upwardly on the valve stem and since the valve stem at this time may displace the lever 19 upwardly inasmuch as this lever 19 is free to follow the upwardly moving lower end of the rod 18. Should the heat generated by the burner exceed that required for the purposes for which the burner is employed and the thermostat become heated to such an extent that the expansion will move the rod '18 down wardly then-the lower end of this red presses downwardly on the lever 19 and the lever 19 in turn presses downwardly. on the valve 15, to .move the valve to closed position against the action of its spring 16.

The fuel which passes into the outlet chamber 68 flows freely to the burner through an opening 84, a passage 65 and a fuel supply line 86.-

In the fuel supply l ne 86 a conventional cleanout rod 81 may be provided and may be mounted on the casing l as indicated at 88. Since this clean-out rod and its mounting form no part of the present invention they will not be described in detail.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive, substantially the same means is employed for normally regulating the opening and closing of the inlet valve and for insuring closure thereof in the event of failure of the main float. In fact, this second embodiment differs from that just described only in the provision of a different means for regulating the flow of liquid from the main fuel'supply chamber to the burner; in the provision of a slightly different resetting member, and in the design of the casing and of the fluid supply structure that leads to the inlet valve. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, it will be seen that there is provided as before a casing designated at l and having therein. a main fuel supply chamber 2*, and an auxiliary float chamber 3 with a dam or partition 4 separating these two chambers. An inlet valve designated at 2| corresponds with the inlet valve 2| and is opened and closed normally under the control of a main float 30 acting through a lever 3| Should the main float 30 for any reason be ineffective to close the inlet valve 2| the fuel will rise to such level in the -chamber 2 as to flow over into the chamber 3 thereby elevating the float 56 which acts through a lever 50*" to disengage the latching hook 52 from the body'portion of the biased valve operator 40 and permit this operator to swing forcibly downward, under the influence-of its weight 41 and spring 43, and hence to punch or thrust the valve 2| to closed position. The resetting means for the auxiliary valve operator is slightly different in that the stem 59 is omitted and a resetting arm designated at 90 is formed integral with the valve operator 40a, this arm extending through a slot 9| in the casing I and projecting beyond the same so that it may be conveniently operated from the exterior. The valve operator 40 is of slightly different design in that it has only one wing designated at 40 and in that its pivotal mounting is provided by a pivot pin 42 mounted on the casing I and extending through openings provided in a downturned ear 92 integral with one edge of the valve operator 40 and in the arm 90. The spring 43 is coiled about this pin 42 and has one end bearing against the adjacent wall of the casing I and its other end bearing down on the valve operator 40 the coiled portion of the spring being accommodated in a cut-out portion or recess 93 provided therefor in the valve operator 40.

Fuel is supplied from any suitable source to an internally threaded nipple 6* integral with one end of the supply conduit 5**. This-conduit 5 contains a strainer I similar to the strainer I0 and supported at one end on a removable plug I1" and at its other end on an inlet tube 94, one end of which communicates with the nipple li and the other end of which communicates with the interior of the strainer.

The liquid fuel flows by gravity from the chamber 2 to the burner (not shown) and in so doing passes through a lateral passage 95 provided in one wall of the casing and down through a vertical passage 96 to an outlet fitting or nipple 91 which connects with a fuel supply line leading to the burner. The passage 96 communicates at its lower end with the nipple 91 and at its upper end opens" through a shelf 88 provided in the casingbelow its top whereby to afford the desired venting action.

When a liquid level control device of this character is used with a burner of the type having a main wick and a pilot wick the level of the fuel normally maintained in the supply chamber 1 by the main float 30 may be changed, that is, raised or lowered, in order to supply sufiicient fuel to charge the main wick or to supply only a reduced amount and thus charge or feed only the pilot wick. In the present instance, this is accomplished by raising and lowering the fulcrum 32 of the float lever 3|. The fulcrum 32' is in the form of a pin which passes through a vertical rod I00 and through the arms of the bifurcated portion of the lever 3|. The lower end of the rod is slidably fitted in a socket-like bearing IOI while the upper end thereof is slidably interfitted with a bearing I02 provided therefor in the top I03 of the casing. A spring I04 encircles a portion of the rod I00 and has its lower end abutting a shoulder I05formed at the upper end of the bearing WI and has its upper end engaging an abutment I06 secured on the rod I00 and which may be in the form of a washer and cross pin. The spring I04 is designed to maintain the rod elevated as shown in Figure 5, thereby disposing the fulcrum in its high or uppermost position. In the elevated position of the fulcrum the main float 30 will so operate the valve 2| as to maintain a relatively high level in the fuel supply chamber 2 At such high level there is sufficient head to cause the fuel to be delivered to the burner in an amount sufficient to supply both the main wick and the pilot wick. When the rod I00 is depressed the fulcrum 32 is lowered and the main float 30 will then so operate the valve Zi that a lower level fuel will be maintained in the chamber 2 with the consequence that only suilicient fuel will be fed to the burner as is required to supply the pilot wick.

The position of the rod I00 may be controlled in various ways. The present invention proposes to control it thermostatically, the thermostat being subjected to the heat of the burner or to the heat of the environment which is selected as the regulating influence. For this. purpose, a thermostat shown diagrammatically at I0! and shown at the casing top I03 is provided and has its rod I08 designed to engage and push down on the upper end of the rod I00 thereby lowering the fuel supply level upon the occurrence of excessive heat. When the thermostat calls for heat, that is, when it is .cooled oif the rod I08 is elevated and allows the spring I04 to move the rodv I00 upwardly thereby restoring the fulcrum 32 to its elevated position and increasing the head of the fuel to the extent necessary to supply both the main wick and the pilot wick.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, is similar to the embodiments previously described'and especially to that embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7, although differing therefrom .especially in that the fulcrum for the main float is fixed and in that one or more manually adjustable valves are provided for regulating the flow of fuel from the main fuel supply chamber to the burner. As shown in Figures 8 tall, this embodiment comprises a casing I having a fuel supply chamber 2 and auxiliary float chamber 3 separated by a partition or dam 4'. Fuel is supplied to the chamber 2 through a float controlled needle crumed on a pin 32 and interconnected with the needle valve. The float 30 is normally effective to close the needle valve but'when the level lowers below the:selected or predetermined level the spring 3'I associated with the valve 2I functions to open the valve. In the event the float 30 upon rise of the liquid above the predetermined level should be ineffective to close the valve 2| there will be an overflow of liquid into the auxiliary float chamber 3 and the auxiliary float 56 will be elevated and will act through the lever 50 to release the auxiliary valve operator 40 which will swing down under the influence of its biasing means such as its weights 41 to punch or thrust the inlet valve 2| to a resetting arm 90 closed position. As shown, this valve operator 41 is fulcrumed as at'5l on the casing and has projecting exteriorly of the casing.

The operation of this auxiliary valve operating mechanism will be obvious from the foregoing description and from an inspection of Figures 8 and 9.

The liquid fuel flows from the supply chamber 2 through openings H and past manually adjustable valves ill to nipples or connections H2 which are adapted ,for connection with a fluid supply line leading to the burner or burners.

Two valves iii are shown but in many instances only one will be used and in fact in many cases the device will be equipped with only one of these valves. In such event one of the nipples H2 will be capped or plugged. Each valve III has a beveled portion H3 cooperable with a valve seat 4' provided around the port connecting each opening ill) .with its nipples H2. Below the beveled portion i l3 each valve is provided with a guide stem H5 of a diameter less than that of the port through which it extends. Above the beveled portion H3 each valve has an externally threaded portion Hi6 engaging a correspondingly burner or with other means for varying or reguthreaded bearing ll'l provided therefor in the casing l The main stems of the valves are designated at H8 and project up through bushings H9 provided therefor in the top of the casing. An annular dial I20 isv fitted over the bushing and is clamped in position by .a nut 12!. On each valve stem an operating handle I22 and a pointer or indicator I23 are fixed. A stop pin I24 coacts with each pointer to limit the movement of the valve in one direction. Adjustable stops I25 may be provided and are frictionally clamped between the nuts i2! and dials H0.

The openings of the dials E20 and the portions of the bushings H9 which they engage may be of noncircular cross section to prevent rotary displacement of the dials. As shown in Figure -11, each dial is provided with numbers which and closely organized device is had which maintains the proper or desired level of fuel in the fuel supply chamber and which is equipped with an auxiliary inlet valve closing arrangement operable automatically'to close the inlet valve in the event the main float is unable to do so. This auxiliary valve closing mechanism is so constituted as to be contained withinthe same casing as the main controlled mechanism and the parts are so organized that this auxiliary mechanism, upon being reset, will itself displace the fuel from the auxiliary float chamber back into the main float chamber.

The mechanism not only has these advantages but also lends itself 'for organization in'a practical and simple way with manually or thermostatically controlled outlet valvs. employed between the main fluid supply chamber and the lating the flow from the mainjfuel supply cham-' ber to the burner.

While I have shown and described several embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the structures illustrated have been selected merely for the purpose of illustration and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of thesubjoined claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A device of the character described comprising means providing a main supply chamber and anauxiliary chamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into the supply chamber, means controlling said inlet valve to maintain a selected liquid level in said supply chamber, an auxiliary operator for said inlet valve, a float in said auxiliary chamber controlling the action of said auxiliary operator, means providing for the flow of liquid into the auxiliary chamber from the main supply chamber when the level of liquid in the supply chamber rises above said selected level a certain extent, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to said flow providing means, and means for actuating the float within the auxiliary chamber to displace the liquid from said auxiliary chamber back into said main supply chamber.

2. A device of the character described comprising means providing a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into the supply chamber, means in said supply chamber controlling said inlet valve to maintain aselected liquid level in said supply chamber, a dam between the chambers to prevent flow of liquid into the auxiliary chamber except when the liquid in the supply chamber exceeds said selected level to an extent to'allow flow of the liquid over a portion at least of said dam, an auxiliary operator for said inlet valve and means for restraining said auxiliary operator against operation, a float in said auxiliary chamber effective to release said restraining means for actuation of said auxiliary operator, and means for resetting said auxiliary operator and the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the. space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the flow providing portion of said dam whereby said float displaces liquid from said auxiliary chamber back into said main supply chamber.

3. A constant level control device comprising a casing having a'main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber therein, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into said supply cham-,

ber, means in said supply chamber and connected vto said valve to maintain a selected liquid level valve operator against action, means including a float in said auxiliary chamber for releasing said last named means and allowing the auxiliary, operator to close the inlet valve when the liquid in the supply chamber exceeds said selected level and the liquid flows from said supply chamber over said dam into said auxiliary chamber and raises the auxiliary float therein, and means operable from the exterior of the casing for resetting said auxiliary valve operator and said second named means and including means for depressing the float within the auxiliary chamber, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the flow providing portion of said dam whereby said float displaces the liquid from the auxiliary chamber back over the dam into the supply chamber.

4. A constant level control device comprising a casing having a main liquid supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber therein, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into said supply chamber, automatic means for controlling the action of said inlet valve, a dam between the chambers to prevent flow. of liquid into the auxiliary chamber except when the liquid level in the supply chamber exceeds a predetermined level, an auxiliary valve operator biased to move said inlet valve to closed position, a latch for retaining the auxiliary valve operator in inoperative position, a float in said auxiliary chamber and connected to said latch for releasing the same upon flow of liquid into said auxiliary chamber, and means operable from the exterior of the casing for returning the auxiliary valve operator to inoperative position, resetting the latch for depressing the float within the auxiliary chamber to displace the liquid from its chamber back to the supply chamber, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the top of said dam.

5. A device of the character described comprising means providing a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into the supply chamber, means in said supply chamber and connected to said valve for'maintaining a selected liquid level in said supply chamber, a dam between the chambers to prevent the flow of liquid into the auxiliary chamber except when the liquid in the supply chamber exceeds said selected level a certain amount, an auxiliary operator biased to move said inlet valve to closed position, a latch having a latching hook engageable with the operator for retaining it in inoperative position, a float in said auxiliary chamber and connectedto said latch to'release the same upon flow of liquid into said auxiliary chamber, means operable from the exterior of the casing for resetting said auxiliary valve operator and engageable means on said operator and said latch for resetting said latch and for depressing the float within the auxiliary chamber to displace the ripheral wall and upwardly from the bottom wall' but terminating short of the top wall to separate the easing into a main supply chamber, an 'auxiliary supply chamber and to provide a dam between the chambers, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into said main'supply chamber, an operator biased to move said inlet valve said auxiliary valve operator and said first-named means and including means for actuating the float to displace the liquid from the auxiliary chamber back over the dam into the supply chamber, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined :by the unsubmerged portion of the float and a wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the top of said dam.

7. A device of the character described comprising a casing having an internal partition terminating below the top of the casing to separate the casing into a supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, said partition also serving as a dam between said chambers, a valve regulating the flow of liquid into the supply chamber, a valve operator movably supported in said casing above the valve and biased to punch the valve closed, a latching lever fulcrumed within the casing and interengageable with the operator to releasably secure the same against action, said lever having a portion adjacent said auxiliary chamber, a float operating in said auxiliary chamber and connected to said lever, said lever having a portion with which the operator is engageable when the latter is moved in one direction to reset the lever, engage its latch with the operator and to depress-the float, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion -of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the top of said partition whereby to displace liquid from the auxiliary chamber back into the supply chamber, and means for moving the operator from the exterior of the casing.

8. A device of the character described comprising means providing a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into the main chamber, means controlling said inlet valve to maintain a liquid level in said main chamber, an auxiliary operator for said inlet valve,-and a float in said auxiliary chamber controlling the action of said auxiliary valve operator, there being means providing for the flow of liquid into the auxiliary chamber from the main, chamber when the liquid in the main chamber exceeds a certain level, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the chamber up to said flow providing meanswhereby said float may be moved within the auxiliary chamber to displace liquid from said auxiliary chamber, and means for so moving the float.

9. A constant level control device adapted to regulate the flow of oil by gravity from a source of supply to a burner and comprising a casing having an internal partition dividing the interior of the easing into a main supply chamber and an auxiliarychamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquidinto the supply chamber from said source of supply, means controlling said inlet valve to maintain a liquid level in said main supply chamber, there being an outlet from the main chamber through which the liquid flows,

auxiliary chamber, the unsubmerged said outlet being adapted to be connected to the burner, an auxiliary operator biased to punch the inlet valve to closed position, restraining means for 'said auxiliary operator, a float in said auxiliary chamber controlling the action of said auxiliary valve operator, said float being operable to release the auxiliary valve, operator from said restraining means when liquid flows over a portion of the partition from the main supply chamber into the auxiliary chamber, the unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerge'd portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the top of said partition whereby said float, when depressed within said auxiliary chamber, is operable to displace liquid from said auxiliary chamber back into said main chamber. Y

10. A constant level control device comprising a casing made up of a bottom .wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall connecting said top and bottom walls, there being a vertical partition within the casing dividing the same into a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a portion at least of the partition terminating in spaced relation to the top of the wall of the casing, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into said main supply chamber, means in said supply chamber regulating the action of said valve to maintain a liquid level in said main supply chamber, an auxiliary valve operator within the casing and biased to punch the inlet valve to closed position, a latch within the casing for holding said operator in inoperative position, a lever within the casing and connected to the latch and extending over the partition, an auxiliary float in said auxiliary chamber and connected to said lever and operable when the liquid flows from the main chamber over the partition and into the auxiliary chamber to operate the lever to release the latch and allow the operator to function, and means for resetting the auxiliary valve operator and depressing the float within the volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the auxiliary chamber up to the top of said partition, the float when depressed displacing liquid from the auxiliary chamber back over the partition into the supply chamber.

11. A device of the character described com-- prising a unitary casing partitioned to provide a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber,

I there being an inlet to and an outlet from said main supply chamber, a valve regulating flow in through said inlet, normally active means in said main :chamber controlling the action of said valve, there being means providing for the flow of liquid from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber, when the liquid level therein exceeds a selected level, and normally dormant means including a float in said auxiliary chamber operable L upon rise of liquid level in the auxiliary chamber due to overflow of liquid from the main chamber to cause the normally dormant means to actuate the valve, the 'unsubmerged volume of the float being greater than the volume of the space defined by the unsubmerged portion of the float and the wall of the chamber up to said flow providing means, and means for depressing the float to cause it to coact with the auxiliary chamber and displace liquid therefrom back into the main chamber.

12. A device of the character described comprising means providing a main and an auxiliary i chamber, an inlet valve regulating the flow of liquid into the main chamber, means controlling said inlet valve to maintain a liquid level in said main chamber, an auxiliary operator for said inlet valve, and means responsive to the rise of liquid level within the auxiliary chamber for controlling the action of said auxiliary valve operator, means providing for the flow of liquid into the auxiliary chamber from the main chamber when the liquid in the main chamber reaches a. predetermined level, said liquid level responsive means including means to displace liquid from said chamber back into the main chamber, and means for actuating the liquid level responsive means within the auxiliary chamber to displace said liquid.

13. A device of the character described comprising a unitary casing partitioned to provide a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, means providing an inlet to and an outlet from said main supply chamber, a valve regulating flow in through said inlet, means providing for flow of liquid from the main supply chamber to they auxiliary chamber when the level of liquid in the main supply chamber rises above a predetermined level, normally active means in said main chamber controlling the action of said valve, and normally dormant means including means responsive to the level of liquid within said auxiliary chamber and operable in response to the rise of liquid level in said auxiliary chamber due to overflow of liquid from the main'chamber thereto to render active the normally dormant means to close the valve, said liquid level responsive means including means to displace liquid therefrom back into the main chamber, and means to move the liquid level responsive means within the auxiliary chamber to displace said liquid.

14.-A device of the characterdescribed comprising a unitary casing partitioned to provide a main supply chamber and an auxiliary chamber, means providing an inlet to and an outlet from said main supply chamber, a valve regulating flow in through said inlet, normally active means 'in said main chamber controlling the action of said valve, means providing for flow of liquid from the main supply chamber to the auxiliary chamber when the level of liquid in the main supply chamber rises above a predetermined level, and normally dormant means including a float in said auxiliary chamber and operable in response to the rise of liquid level in said auxiliary chamber due to flow oi liquid thereinto from the main chamber to render active the normally dormant means to close the valve, said float being dimen- 

